AN INVITATION TO THE OPERA Wagner's PARSIFAL

This introduction to opera begins by taking the listener through its origins, a history of stage production, and a detailed look at the conductor’s importance. DiGaetani's prose is marvelous, and Nadia May's reading clear and confident, making the first half of this audiobook extremely entertaining and informative. Unfortunately, the latter half of DiGaetani's book, while undoubtedly a useful print reference, makes little sense in the audio format. It profiles 100 great singers and the 50 operas of the standard repertory, which takes about five hours. Amazingly, May never sounds bored or exhausted, but the listener will find this harder to endure than the middle act of Wagner's Parsifal. D.B. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]